Printing apparatus



' Feb, 16, 1937. Wis. PAYNE 2,971,139

* PRINTING APPARATUS- I Filed Jan. 25, 1934 11 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR WALTER B. PAYNE ATTORNEY Feb. 16, 1937. w. B. PAYNE 2,071,139

I PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 25, 1934 11 Shets-Sheet 2 I INVENTOR WALTER B. PAYNE ATTORNEY Feb. 16, 1937. w. B. PAYNE PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 25, 1934 11 Sheets-Sheet 3 R5 W mm m W n mA A W -Feb. 16, 1937. w. B. PAYNE PRINTING APPARATUS I F iled Jan. 25, 1934 11 Sheets-Sheet 4 HIHIl INVENTOR -WALTER B. PAYNE- ATTORNEY Feb. 16, 1937. w. B. PAYNE PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 25, 1934 11 Sheeis-Sheet 5 INVENTOR WALTER 5. PA YNE ATTORNEY -Feb. 16, 1937. w. B, PAYNE PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 25, 1954 11 Shets-Sheet e INVENTOR WALTER B. PAYNE BY f ATTORNEY Feb. 16, 1937. w. B. PAYNE 2,071,139.

PRINTING APPARATUS 1 Filed Jan. 25, 1934. 11 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR WALTER 5. PAYNE BY; g

' ATTORNEY Feb. 16, 1937. w PAYNE 2,071,139

PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 25, 1954 ll Sheets-Sheet 9 'lNVENTOR WALTER 5. PAYNE BY I ATTORNEY W. B. PAYNE PRINTING APPARATUS Feb; 16, 1937.

11 Shets-Sheet 10 Filed Jan. 25, 1934 Pmw Om WNN Q\ .mQ\ km IN 5 mm. W \N IIN u 5 4 f 42/42 f. wig? hwndmmmonfi 3 5 33 8 some 5? 2. m

wmv N m w. B. PAYNE PRINTING APPARATUS Feb. 16, 1937.

ll Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed Jan. 25. 1934 4 INVENTOR WALTER B. PAYNE ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 16, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PRINTING APPARATUS Application January 25, 1934, Serial No. 708,279

41 Claims.

The present invention relates to means for printing value representing instruments such, for example, as negotiable paper. An object of the invention'is to provide improved means for making or signing checks, drafts, certificates, and other value representing instruments, including devices for printing thereon or applying thereto as a part of the act of making or signing the same, one or more predetermined symbols, in different colors, and of such a character'as to be readily recognizable but far more diflicult to reproduce than the usual hand signature of the makers name, and which will tend to discourage and prevent forgery on the part of dishonest persons. Such a symbol may be a representation of some-object associated with the maker of the instrument, or somev relatively complicated design, the purpose being to employ one or more symbols or designs of such character as to be readily recognized upon casual inspection, but at the same time difficult to reproduce and forge. Such symbols are used in association with a printed facsimile of the hand written signature of the maker of the instrument, as more particularly described hereafter.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved method of making or signing instruments of the above character comprising printing thereon one or more symbols of the character described, in different tints or colors and in relatively intricate and finely marked details as an obstacle to reproduction, and by the use of means which permits of the rapid signing of such instruments with a minimum expenditure of time and effort.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved method of signing the instruments, comprising printing different parts of the complete signature in different tints or colors, and also printing a protective ground portion for the same in one or more colors, for safeguarding the signature against photographic or other methods of reproduction. This may be accomplished by printing on the instrument, a facsimile of the name signature of the maker in one color, in

' association with an intricate design of a different 'tiable in an exceedingly secure and at the same time rapid and convenient manner as particularly desirable for banks, railroads, manufacturers, and other concerns having a relatively large number of payroll or other checks to be signed, an operation which, under the methods heretofore in use, has proven laborious and time consuming, particularly for executive personnel whose time could be more profitably devoted to other work.

A still further object of the invention is to provide improved means for printing bank checks, drafts, certificates and like instruments having a form of signature which may be readily recognized and identified on casual inspection and which is at the same time far more secure against the reproduction and forgery of the signature than when merely bearing the hand signature of the maker. Such instruments may be further improved in appearance over the hand signed variety by the selection of artistic and ornamental symbols of one or more colors to replace or'supplement a hand-written signature by the maker.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved printing apparatus for successively applying different characters or symbols upon substantially the same portion of a sheet, or in superimposed relation on the sheet.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved printing mechanism, and operating means therefor, in which the latter is conditioned for operation by the positioning of the individual sheets to be printed within the machine.

A further object of the invention isthe provision of sheet feeding mechanism, and a stop mechanism associated therewith and rendered effective for automatic operation by mechanism controlled by the positioning of the sheets within the machine.

A further object of the invention is to provide combined sheet printing, feeding, operating, and stop mechanisms, in which the operating meshanism is normally idle and is automatically coupled with power means for driving the same, upon release of certain parts, actuated by movement of the sheets to a predetermined position within the machine, following which the sheet printing and stop mechanisms are operated automatically to print the sheets and to control the movements thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved rotary printing unit, together with automatic mechanisms for driving and interrupting operation of the same, and also means for yieldingly resisting rebound movements of the unit when discontinuing the driving opera tions.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved printing apparatus for applying selected characters, symbols, or indicia upon sheets, in different colors.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved printing mechanism for successively effecting different printing operations, each on substantially the same portion of a check, or other negotiable instrument, whereby to superimpose on said portion representations of different distinctive parts of the maker's signature in the same or different colors to render the signature extremely diflicult to forge or reproduce.

A further object of the invention is the provision of improved printing apparatus. including feeding mechanism for the sheets to be printed, automatic means for arresting movement of the sheets, and a printing device operating to reverse the movement of the sheets and adapted to print thereon during the reverse movements and subsequently releasing the sheets for continued movement by the feeding mechanism.-

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved power driven clutch mechanism for operating the printing apparatus.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improved rotary printing unit having one or more printing plates thereon provided with inking ribbon means and automatic feed means for the same, together with automatic means for reversing the feed means to effect reversal of the ribbon means during operation of the unit.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved printing plate for applying various characters, indicia, or designs to the sheets to be printed, together with means for engaging and moving the sheets during the printing operations.

A further object of the invention is to provide one or more detachable printing plates on a rotary unit, in combination with a multicolored ribbon or ribbons for cooperation with platen means whereby to reproduce the type or various characters on the plates in one or more colors on the sheets to be printed.

A further object of the invention is to provide two or more improved printing plates having thereon different parts of selected characters or designs affording a complete signature for application to a check or other negotiable instrument, together with means for operating the plates to successively apply the different parts of the signature to the check.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved lock controlled means for preventing unauthorized operation of the printing apparatus and also look controlled means for protecting and preventing access to the type holding parts.

A further object of the invention is to provide on the base of the machine, a casing for enclosing the printing apparatus and other parts, together with means for effecting relative movement between the base and casing and means for latching or looking the casing upon the base.

To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvements and combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a machine embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view with the cover of the machine removed; Y

Fig. 4 is a transverse section on line H of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional elevation substantially on line 5-5 of Fig. 3, showing a portion of the clutch trip mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary transverse sectional elevation substantially on line s-s of Fig. 3, showing the rotary printing device and other parts;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional elevation taken on line ll of Fig. 3, showing the clutch and associated parts at normal inoperative position;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 showing the clutch release means in engagement with the clutch driving member by which the release means is operated;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 7 showing the driving and driven parts of the clutch in operative relation;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional elevation on line i0i 0 of Fig. 3, showing certain of the clutch control parts locked to prevent operation of the machine;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary transverse sectional elevation taken on line ilii of Fig. 3, showing in part, the means for controlling the stop mechanism for the sheets;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary sectional elevation showing the sheet counting means and operating means therefor;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary longitudinal section taken on line i3l3 of Figs. 1 and 14, showing the sheet stop mechanism in position to arrest movement of the sheets;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary transverse sectional elevation showing the sheet stop mechanism at operating position and the controlling parts therefor as they appear when tripped by the sheet upon advancement of the latter into engagement with the stop;

Fig. 15 is a transverse sectional elevation taken on the line i5--i5 of Fig. 1, showing the locking mechanism for the casing cover and the latching and separating mechanisms between the base and the casing;

Fig. 16 is a sectional plan taken on line I6-i6 of Fig. 15;

Fig. 1'7 is a fragmentary sectional elevation on line l1i'l of Fig. 16 showing the locking, latching and separating mechanisms shown in Fig. 15;

Fig. 18 is a side elevation of the machine showing the cover swung to open position and the casing moved to an inclined position relative to the base;

Fig. 19 is a view showing a part of the check, having printed thereon a portion of the maker-s signature;

Fig. 20 also shows a part of the check, to which has been applied the written portion of the signature in conjunction with an identifying sign or symbol;

Fig. 21 is a view showing acheck having the complete signature applied thereto;

Fig. 22 is a modification, showing a part of a check on which the background for the signature is shown applied in a variety of colors;

Fig. 22a is a view showing a section of a multicolored ribbon for use in printing the checks;

Fig. 23 is a fragmentary transverse sectional elevation showing a. pressure roll for holding the aovaiao sheets in position upon the feed belt and also showing a portion of the operating means for releasing the roll;

Fig. 24 is a plan view of one of the printing plates and a holder therefor;

Fig. 25 is a longitudinal section-taken on line 25-25 of Fig. 24;

Fig. 26 is a transverse section on line "-20 of Fig.'25, and

Fig, 27 is a transverse sectional elevation taken substantially on line 2I2'| of Fig. 3, showing various ribbon control parts on one of the side plates of the rotary printing unit.

The same reference numerals throughout the several views indicate the same parts.

The method so that forgers have found it comparatively easy to reproduce signatures with sufficient accuracy to make it difficult, if not impossible, for the bank teller to detect such forgeries. Another serious disadvantage of this method of making or signing instruments has been the amount of timeand labor required, particularly where checks are issued in any considerable quantity and, in such cases, this time and labor is often required of executive personnel whose time could be more usefully devoted to work of a less manual and more executive and important character. Attempts have been made to substitute for such hand signature method, the printing of signature facsimiles, but this method has not been generally favored because of the supposed ease with which fraudulent reproduction of such printed signatures might be accomplished.

It has also been proposed to incorporate during the printing of the blank check or other instrument, identifying markings, such as a symbol, portrait, facsimile, signature, or other mark associated with the person by whom the instrument is required to be signed in order to complete or validate it, but such markings have only been applied in the previous printing of the blank check and as a part thereof, and not in any case as a part of the act of validating or signing the check or in association with the signature portion. In other words, such markings have merely accompanied the blank check as an unsigned stock form, and have not in any way protected the signature or validating portion against forgery by anyone into whose hands a blank check may have fallen. One of the defects of such an ex pedient is that while it may increase the diihculty of reproducing the blank check, it does not in any way increase the difficulty of forging the signature. of-the maker on the instrument. All

that is required in such a case is to obtain a sample of the blank check or other instrument which can then be completed by a forged signature in the usual way. In fact, the initial application to the instrument of symbols of this character and particularly a facsimile of the makers signat'ure,tends to make it easier for an. unscrupulousperson to successfully forge the makers signature thusplaced before him on the check, and to present the check with a semblance of authority arising from its possession, and of course, the use of secret identifying markings which require special examination or microscopic scrutiny of the instrument are of little use for the obvious reason that the busy bank teller, for example, has no time or Opp rtunity for such critical examination.

The present invention, on the other hand, overcomes these defects and provides a far more secure as-well as a far more rapid and less laborious method of making or signing such instruments, as well as a form of instrument itself, the signature of which is effectively guarded against forgery, and thevalidity of which may be safely assumed.

The method of the present invention comprises the impression upon the check or other instrument of some predetermined symbol of a superficially recognizable identifying character, but preferably including finely marked details to render it more or less complicated in nature, and thus more difllcult to reproduce than the signature of the name of the maker of the instrument. Such a symbol is impressed upon the instrument as a part of the act of making or signing the same, in association with a printed, uniform or standard facsimile of the hand signature of the name of the maker, thus providing a duplex, protected form of printed signature of uniformcharacter, easy to identify, but practically impossible to reproduce or forge. i

To further protect the duplex form of signature against forging, or unauthorized reproduction, the distinctive parts thereof, such, for example, as the facsimile of the name signature, the complicated design or symbol associated therewith, and, if preferred, a protective ground portion for said parts, are printed in different tints or colors, or, if preferred, different portions of one or more of said parts, including the protective ground portion, may be printed in different orcontrasting colors, whereby to safeguard the signature against reproduction by photographic or other methods. By printing the different parts of the signature on the check, or similar instrument, in different colors it will be extremely difficult to obtain a satisfactory reproduction of the signature by the photographic method, since it is well known that certain colors cannot be successfully or satisfactorily reproduced by this method.

In Figs. 19 and 20 of the drawings there is shown a portion of a bank check at 3B, the portion shown in Fig. 19 having thereon a protective ground 31 for the signature, while the portion shown in Fig. 20 has applied thereto one form of duplex signature, comprising a representation 38 of a conventional design or symbol of the above described character and a representation at 39 of the hand signature of the maker or facsimile thereof, it being understood that the portions 31, 38, and 39 of the signature, or parts thereof will be printed in different tints, colors. or contrasting shades.

In Fig. 21 a representation of the complete signature is shown applled to the blank space usually provided for the hand signature of the maker. The symbol or conventional design 38 is marked details in difierent colors, which could not be reproduced without resort to some systematic and expensive process of reproduction. As compared with the mere copying or forging of a hand signature, such reproduction of the design interposes a far greater obstacle to fraudulent making of the instrument. An agreement may be reached, for example, with the bank upon which checks are to be drawn that such design, protective ground, and hand written signature shall be required together to constitute signature or authorization by the maker of the check and the bank ofiicials then honor checks so signed with a high degree of assurance that such checks are valid.

Fig. 22 shows a portion of a check 36a having thereon at 31c a conventional representation of a multicolored protective ground portion for the duplex signature, the different colors being applied in any suitable manner as, for example, by the use of a multicolored ribbon, such as that shown diagrammatically in Fig. 220.. In this modification the conventional form of design or symbol is indicated at 380, while a representation of the makers signature is shown at 39a.

The advantage in providing a multicolored protective ground portion for the duplicate form of signature is to render reproduction of the signature more diiilcult. By printing the multiplicity of fine elements or lines of the protective ground in a number of different colors, as indicated in Fig. 22, any attempt at reproduction of the duplicate portion of the signature must necessarily include a successful reproduction of the protective ground portion, if the signature as a whole is to be reproduced with such accurateness or clearness as not to create suspicion on the part of those familiar with the authorized signature of the maker of the check.

It will be noted that the symbolic signature, such, for example, as the design 38 shown with the facsimile signature 39 and preferably with the protective ground 31, are reserved for application to the otherwise completed check, so that such application constitutes the final act of signing or validating the check. In other words, the printing operations are segregated by first printing the check with the routine indicia, such as the name and location of the maker of the check, the name of the bank on which it is drawn, and the designations of the blanks to be filled in with the data of the respective checks. This constitutes the familiar blank check which is kept in stock until desired for use, at which time the name of the payee, amount, and date are filled in. The check is then signed or validated by printing thereon the predetermined duplex signature of the maker comprising the facsimile name signature associated with the protective -symbolical signature referred to above, and also the protective ground, if preferred. By this method the blank checks contain no part of the validating signature until in the final act of rendering the check negotiable. Thus no part of the signature is applied until the maker is ready to issue the check and then the application of the duplex signature as described interposes an effective bar to any forgery or other unauthorized manipulation as to the signature portion of the check.

While signatures of the above described character may be applied to the instrument by embossing, or in various other ways, it is preferred to'print the same thereon by some means of a nature adapted for effecting the desired precision of detail. It has been found that this may be accomplished with particular success by methods analogous to lithography because of the fineness of execution afforded by such methods.

The present method has been practiced with success in a commercial way by the use of printing plates, for example, of the type shown and described herein. Apparatus for effectively carrying out the method may thus be provided in relatively small and convenient size. It may be kept under lock and key, and may itself embody a locking means so that it cannot be operated except at the proper time and in the proper way by authorized persons. At the same time, checks or other instruments otherwise more or less completed as to the routine indicia may be rapidly printed with a signature such as described, by some authorized employee, thus releasing executive officials from the tedious manual labor of signing the instruments by hand. The importance of such economy of time and effort is read- .ily apparent, as for example, in connection with thefrequent periodic issue of a large number of payroll checks, as practiced by many business concerns.

With the present method, a would be forget is first confronted with the problem of obtaining previously issued checks to serveas models for duplication, and is then put to the very considerable difi'iculty and expense of an attempt at reproduction of the signature, including the different colors thereof and of applying the same to means for affecting an impression upon the check, in the course of which labor, moreover, he is quite likely to afford opportunity for detection of his fraudulent activities. The difliculty and obstruction thus interposed in the way of the would be forger is of such a character as to practically eliminate the danger of forgery.

The present method further increases the degree of protection as compared with handwritten signature in that it provides for entire uniformity at all times in the signature, or in other words, for a standard facsimile, as opposed to the variation in handwriting from day to day which is a common experience, and the present method furthermore affords an opportunity to introduce into the signature an artistic and ornamental quality which enhances the appearance of the entire instrument.

Apparatus The present construction embodies generally, apparatus for applying characters to sheets, such for example, as checks and other negotiable paper. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the characters are applied by printing them upon the sheet preferably by automatically operated mechanisms comprising generally a rotary printing device, a constantly operating motor, and driving means interposed between the motor and the printing device. The driving means includes clutch mechanism controlled by the positioning ofthe sheets to be printed within the machine, which are advanced by suitable feeding means to the printing device, the latter making a predetermined number of revolutions for each sheet printed, preferably one, and the clutch being automatically connected when the individual sheets are moved to a predetermined position and automatically disconnected when the printing operations are completed.

The character holding device or printing unit is rotated in a. direction opposite to that in which the sheet is advanced by the feeding means and carries a plurality of printing or character holding elements, which engage and operate upon the sheet during each revolution of the unit. The character holding elements may or may not be made to operate upon the same portion of the sheet, but where it is desired to superimpose one design or set of characters upon another, this I ing elements will then reverse the movement of the sheet and at the same time print thereon. This element will then release the sheet for return to the stop means by the feed belt. At this time the next succeeding printing element will engage and reverse the movement of the sheet and will then print substantially on that portion upon which the characters were applied by the first mentioned printing element, following which the sheet will again be released and continued through the machine by the feed belt, the stop means by this time having been returned to normal non-obstructing position by means provided for actuating the same.

In the present construction the rotary unit is provided with separate detachable printing plates for printing upon a check or other negotiable paper, one of the plates being designed to print a duplex form of validating signature by printing on the check a facsimile of the name signature of the maker and printing in association with said name signature a predetermined symbolic signature, formed by a representation or design of an intricate character difiicult to reproduce or forge, whereby to safeguard the name signature. The other plate is designed to print a protective ground portion for said duplex signature, constituting in effect a background for the signature.

The printing plates are each provided with an inking ribbon, the ribbons preferably being of different colors, and, if desired, one or each of the ribbons may be of the multi-colored type, whereby any attempt to fraudulently reproduce the signature by obtaining a photographic copy of the same is made extremely diflicult or practically impossible of accomplishment.

The rotary printing unit is provided with automatic ribbon feeding and reversing means whereby the ribbons are moved step by step over the printing plates during operation of the machine.

The driving mechanism for the printing unit is protected against operation by unauthorized persons, by means of a lock concealed within the mechanism casing, the key to which is entrusted to the operator of the machine, who may or may not be allowed to have access to the casing enclosing the printing unit, whereby to prevent removal of the printing plates by unauthorized persons, for the purpose of duplicating thesame.

However, a second and independent lock is provided for the cover and easing, the key for which may be placed in the hands of one having custody of the machine, who can be held responsible for the printing plates and other parts encliosed within the casing.

To condition the machine for operation, it is only necessary to release the bolt of the lock for controlling the operating parts, at which time the switch may be operated to start the motor. The sheets may then be inserted within the guides and will be advanced by the feeding means and operated uponsby the printing unit,

,after which they will be discharged from the machine by the feeding means, preferably into a suitable receptacle provided for the purpose.

The present construction comprises a base Ill having a casing ii thereon provided with a hinged cover l2. Mounted on the base is an electric motor 3 for driving certain parts of the operating mechanism, including a worm shaft Ma extending within the worm housing l4, the worm shaft having a pulley l6 driven by the motor pulley 95 through the medium of a belt I! shown in Fig. 2. A switch l3a is provided for controlling the motor circuit.

The main or clutch driving shaft i8 is provided with a gear 89 meshing with an intermediate gear 20' driven by a gear ti on a. shaft 2m extending from the wall of the housing 86, the shaft Zla being driven by a worm gear within the housing, which is driven by a worm on the shaft Ma, Figs. 2 and 5. The gear 2! serves to drive a pinion 23 on the shaft 23a which carries a pulley N for driving the belt 24a. The belt 24a engages a pulley 25 on a shaft 25a having a second pulley 26a thereon for driving the sheet feeding belt 28, extending over a pulley 26b, Fig. 1.

The pulley 25, shaft 25a, and pulleys 26a. and 26b are suitably connected with and supported by a shelf 2'8 extending beneath the casing H on opposite sides thereof through an opening in the base or frame ill, Figs. 1 and 2. The lower flight of the belt extends beneath the base Ill and is guided by a pair of rollers suitably supported by the frame, one of which is shown at 21a, Fig. 13. A tension roller 28 engages the belt beneath the shelf, the shaft of the roller being adjustable vertically upon a support 28a depending from the shelf and held in adjusted position by tightening a nut 28b on the roller shaft.

The platen roller 29, which may be formed of any suitable material, is carried by a stud 30 on a supporting member ti secured to the base ill by means of a screw 32 and an adjustable stud 33, Figs. 4 and 6. The platen supporting member 3| includes oppositely disposed side portions 34 having slots 35 therein which receive the flattened ends of the stud 30 whereby the latter is prevented from rotating.

The sheet or check to be operated upon by the machine is shown at 36 and has applied thereto the protective ground 31, the validating design or symbol 38 and the facsimile of the maker's signature 39, as shown in Fig. 21. In Fig. 22 there is disclosed a modification, showing a portion of a check 36a, on which is printed a multicolored ground 3112 which carries a design or symbol 38a and a facsimile of the makers signature as shown at 39a, the ground being printed in a variety of colors, as indicated conventionally by the various angularly disposed lines shown in Fig. 22, on which the design and name signature are superimposed in different colors.

The means for guiding the sheets through the machine comprises a pair of spaced guide members 40 overlying the shelf 21 and supported for adjustment each independently of the other by bearings 4| slidable on the oppositely disposed members 42, Figs. 1 and 2. Adjustment of the guides is efiected by turning the rods which carry pinions 44 meshing with teeth 45 formed on the members 42, the rods extending through and being supported within the bearings. The guides 40 may be readily adjusted to accommodate sheets of different widths and to vary the position of the sheets relative to the belt 25 and to the printing line as well, the sheets being inserted between the ends of the guides at the left side of the machine as viewed in Fig. 1.

The casing ii is provided with a bottom wall 48 having an opening 49 therein, the side walls of the casing being connected by transverse plate members 50 and iii and an additional upstanding plate member 52 being provided adjacent one end of the casing, said plate members having suitable bearings in which the shaft i8 is mounted for rotation. The ends of the plates 5% and 5! are provided with reduced portions 53 which are fixed within slots formed in the upper edges of the side walls of the casing as shown in Figs. 5 to 9 inclusive.

. Secured on the bottom wall of the casing are brackets 55 and 54a in which the opposite ends of a rod 55 are journaled, the rod having secured thereon an arm 55 having an offset portion 51 at its free end which normally rests on the bottom wall of the casing as shown in Fig. 5. The arm is provided intermediate its ends with a roller 58. When the check or sheet to be printed is being advanced through the machine by the belt 25 it will pass under the roller at which time it will lift the arm 58 to the position shown in Fig. 14. This movement of the arm serves to rock the shaft 55 on which is fixed a finger 59 located opposite a second finger 50 which is pivoted loosely on the shaft. The fingers 59 and 58 are provided respectively, with offset portions 6i and 52 which are normally held in contact one with another by a spring 53 extending between the fingers as shown in Fig. 5.

A rod 63 has its opposite ends supported by the plate members 5i and 52 and carries a trip yoke 65 having extended arms 55 and 57 as shown in Figs. 3, 4, 5, and id. The arm 65 of .the yoke is provided with a beveled offset end 68 which normally engages the under side of the offset portion 52 of the finger 59. The yoke 65 is under the tension of a spring 69 which tends to raise the free end of the arm 65. The checker sheet when fed into the machine by the belt operates, as previously stated, to raise the arm 55 at which time the rod 55 will swing the finger 55 to the position shown in Fig. 14, whereby the spring 69 operating upon the yoke will swing the arm 68 thereof to the elevated position shown in said figure, it being understood that the arm 56 will remain in raised position as long as the check is in contact with the roller 58. The arm 88 has an outwardly proiecting stud 66b and an inwardly extending stud 650, the stud 66b carrying a roller 66a provided for a purpose described hereinafter.

Referring to Fig. 7, showing the parts of the power clutch mechanism in normal position, the arm 6l of the trip yoke 85 normally engages a stud 10 on the pivoted clutch finger H. The finger H is pivoted to the clutch release yoke 12 by the stud l3 and is provided with a part lib adapted to engage the teeth of a constantly driven ratchet member 14 loosely mounted on the main shaft l8. A spring 86 is connected with the finger H and with a support 81 and tends to throw the part lib of the finger into engagement with ratchet member 14. However, the arm 51 of the yoke 55, normally engages the stud ill of the finger II and prevents the P t lib from engaging the teeth of the ratchet 14. As the yoke 85 is rocked upon release of the arm 88, by the finger 58, the arm 51 is moved away from the stud 10 which allows the spring 98 to move the portion lib of the finger into engagement with the constantly driven ratchet member 16, as shown in Fig. 8. As the portion lib of the finger ll engages the ratchet, the rotation of the latter moves the finger ll, pivoted to the clutch yoke 12 downward, causing the yokemember 12 carried on rod 54 to rock and consequently release the clutch mechanism.

The portion 15 of the clutch release yoke 12 normally engages a lug 15 of the clutch stop arm l'l, carried on the clutch disk 18 by the stud 19, the clutch disk 18 being pinned on the shaft l8. The clutch stop arm I1 has a notch 8i, engaged by the projection 82 of the clutch dog 88, also carried on the disk l8 by the stud 88a. The dog 83 is provided with a lug 84 which is adapted to engage the teeth of the constantly rotating driving member 85 loosely mounted on shaft i8. The spring 85, connected with the finger 'li, not only tends to keep the stud 18 in contact with the arm 81 of the yoke 85, but retains the arm 88 of the yoke 12 ill 110111181 position against the adjustable stop 89,'and the portion 15 of the yoke 12 against the projection I8 01. the arm 'll.

It will now be seen that when the portion 1 lb of the finger II is engaged with a tooth of the rotating member 14 that the finger will be moved downwardly thereby rocking the yoke member 12 about its pivot 64 and thus withdrawing the portion 15 of the yoke from/ the lug 18 of the'stop arm 11 to release the latter. The spring 98, connected to the arm 11, is normally tensioned through engagement of the yoke portion l5 with the lug 15 of the arm 11 whereby the portion 84 of the clutch dog 83 is normally held out of engagement with the teeth of the driving member 85 and against a stud 8i, carried by the disk 18. When the portion l5 of the yoke 12 is withdrawn from engagement with the lug 16 of the dog 11, the spring rotates the arm 11 about its pivot 19 which in turn actuates the dog 83 to bring the lug 84 thereof into the path of the teeth of the continuously rotating drive member 85, as shown in Fig. 9. When the lug 84 of the clutch dog 88 engages the teeth of the drive member 85, it forms through the disk 18, a drive connection between the motor driven power means and the drive shaft i8. The drive member is formed integral with the member 14 and is loosely mounted on the shaft i8 and driven by the gear l9 through the previously described motor driven parts. As shown in Fig. 3, the hub 92 of the gear i9 is notched and receives a protruding portion 83 of the ratchet member 14 by which the latter is driven.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 5, the arm 88 of the clutch release yoke 12 has a portion 94, which extends over the main shaft l8 and is normally out I of the path of a lug 95 of a locking member 95 carried on the rod 81, and controlled by the o'perators lock 91. The operator's lock is secured by the bracket 91a to the casing ii within the latter to lock the main shaft l8 against rotation. As shown in Fig. 10, the bolt 88 of the lock normally engages the locking member 95, which is adapted to be rocked upon the rod 81 against the tension of a spring 99 upon casting the bolt of the lock. The disk Hill is secured on the main shaft l8 and is provided with a notch iili adapted to receive the lug 95 of the locking member 88, whereby to prevent operation of the shaft and the printing means driven thereby.

The lug 95 of the locking member is also adapted to extend in the path of the portion 94 of the arm 80' to prevent the yoke I2 from rocking whereby the clutch dog 83 is held out of engagement with the drive member 85. When the yoke member I2 is actuated by the finger 1| through operation of the ratchet member I4, the portion 50 of the yoke is moved in a clockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. 5, past the notch IOI of the disk I into the path of the lug 95 of the locking member 96. Therefore, it will be seen that it is impossible to cast the bolt of the operator's lock to shift the locking member 96 after the clutch has been tripped and while the machine is in motion, or at any time when the operating parts occupy other than a normal inoperative position. When the lug 95 rests in the notch IOI a portion 96b on the lever 96 engages a pin 66c on the lever 66, and prevents upward movement of the latter which if permitted would result in tripping of the clutch-which, of course, should not take place with the shaft I8 locked against rotation.

When the dog 59 is moved to release the lug 68 of the arm 66 as previously described, the roller 66a of the arm will move into the notch I02 of a cam I secured to the main shaft I8, as shown in Fig. 14. The cam 803 through engagement with the roller 66a returns the yoke 65 and the arm 66 thereon to normal position upon initial movement of the shaft l8, and retains the yoke in the position shown in Fig. 5 throughout the entire cycle of operation.

In this operation the arm 61 of the yoke 65 is also moved to normal position where it engages the stud III of the finger II to prevent the portion lib from engaging the toothed memberM, at

I which time the spring 86 will rock the clutch release yoke I2 upward to bring the portion I5 thereof into the path of the lug i6 of the clutch arm TI. As the clutch disk completes the cycle of movement the lug I6 contacts with the portion I5 of the yoke and rocks the arm I1 upon its pivot iii to disengage the lug 84 of the clutch dog 83 from the drive member 85, thereby discontinuing operation of the main shaft I8 and retaining it at normal inoperative position.

During completion of the cycle of operation the sheet passes from under the roller 58 to allow the arm 56 to drop to normal position as shown in Fig. 5, at which position the end 51 of the arm will rest upon the portion 49 of the casing II. When the arm 56 returns to normal position the dog 59 serves to retain the lug 66 of the arm 66 in normal latched position. The arm 66 is latched by the dog 59 before the notch of the cam I02 is moved opposite the roller 66a, otherwise the clutch mechanism would again be allowed to trip and cause a continued rotation of the main shaft I8. Arm 66 'is latched by arm 60; if disk I03 reaches normal position while arm 56 is held up by a check. When the check is ejected from the machine, arm 56 drops and arm 59 engages arm 60 releasing it from the projection 68 which then is retained in normal position by dog 59. It will be noted that the projection 6| of the dog 60 is slightly longer than that of the projection 62 of the dog 59. With this construction it is impossible for the lug 68 of the arm 66 to become latched under the projection 6| of the dog 60.

The printing cylinder unit is mounted on the main shaft I8 between the supporting plates 5') and 5|, and comprises a pair of circular plates I05 and I06, Figs. 3, 4, and 6, connected by two sets of cross rods I01 and Wm. The plate I06 carries the ribbon feeding and reversing mechanism proper, which will be hereinafter described and the plate I05 carries the cylinder stop dog I 9| and other mechanism relating to the ribbon spool holding means, which will also be hereinafter described.

The printing cylinder including the plates I05 and I06, is secured upon and rotated with the main shaft through the member IIO fixed to the shaft. Referring to Figs. 3 and 6, the member I I0 has an extended recessed portion IIIla, which is securely fastened to the disk I05 by means of a stud I09. An insert I09 is provided in the recess of the extension IIOa of the member IIO through which the stud Hi9 projects, the insert being of rubber or any other suitable material which will yield slightly and serve as a shock absorber to somewhat lessen the shock caused by stopping the tached, and the cross rods I0'Ia carry the plate holder II2 upon which the background plate II2a ismounted. The, plate holders III and H2 are substantially the same in construction, although suitable means may be provided so that the plate holders cannot be interchangeably disposed on the printing cylinder. This means may comprise a pin on the side plate I05, not shown, which will enter a notch in one of the holders not provided in the other. Inasmuch as the plate holders I I I and H2 and associated locking means thereof are substantially identical the same reference will suffice for both.

The plate holders III and H2 are each provided with an arcuate portion II3 substantially concentric with the peripheral portions of the plates I05 and M6, to which the printing plates IIIa and 211 are attached. The side portions II4 and N5 of the plate holders are extended inwardly from the arcuate portion H3 and are provided with slots 6 at one end, which receive one of the cross rods I01 and Mia. The side portions of the holders are cut away at their opposite ends at III to engage the other cross rods I01 and Mia, the side portions being connected by a rod II8 which is adapted to be engaged by a latch dog 'il9, pivoted at I20 to a yoke member I2I, carried on a cross rod I22, the ends of which are supported by the circular plates I05 and I06. The latch dog H9 is constantly under the tension of. a spring I23 connected therewith and with the rod I22. Secured to the yoke member I2I is a pin I24 which projects through an elongated opening I25 in the plate I05, as best shown in Fig. 6. The pin I24, extends outside of the circular plate I05 and is accessible for manual operation as a means for releasing the plate holders. In releasing the holders III and H2 the yoke members I2I are'rocked upon their respective pivot rods I22 by raising the pin I24 in order to withdraw the yielding latch dog II9 from therod II8.

limiting the inward movement of the dog II3 by the tension of the spring I23.

The inking ribbons I23 and I23 are guided by the holding members I30 for the printing plates in order to assure the proper position of the ribbons with respect to the plates. Referring to Figs. 24, 25, and 26 the ribbon guide members I30 are disposed beneath the plate holders III and H2 and are held in position by the 'lugs HI and rod II3 extending through the lugs. The plates I30 are provided with openings I32 in the center thereof. to allow for free operation of the latch dog II3. At the ends of the ribbon guide plates I30, there are provided fingers I33 and I34, which overlie the ribbon to guide and retain it in proper relation with respect to the printing plates.

The rotary printing unit is provided with two independent ribbons and two spools for each ribbon. The feeding and reversing mechanisms for the spools are substantially the same and have therefore been given the same reference characters. In the operation of the printing unit the ribbons are automatically fed step by step over the printing plates from one spool to another. When the ribbon is entirely unwound from the supply spool the reversing mechanism is automatically actuated to reverse the feed of the ribbon. Referring to Figs. 3, 4, 6, and 27, the spools for advancing the ribbons are shown at I35 and I33. Secured to the cylinder plate I05 is a U-shaped bracket member I31, one for each ribbon spool. A spring plunger I33 is guided in the member I31 and extends through the plate I05 and the sliding bushing I33 which is rigidly secured to the plunger. The bushing I33 is provided with a collar I which limits the movement of the plunger under the pressure of. the spring I33a. The plunger I33 is provided with a reduced end I4I inserted within a central opening in the spool. The bushing I33 has secured thereto a disk I 42 which is provided with a notch I43. The end flanges of. the ribbon spools I35 and I33 are provided withlugs I44 normally engaging in the notches I43 of the disks I42. The plunger I33 extends beyond the extremity of the U-shaped member I31 and attached thereto is a knurled operating member I45 for rotating the spool. When it is desired to remove the ribbon spools the plungers I33 are withdrawn against the tension of the springs I33a. and at the same time the disks I42 are moved outwardly from engagement with the lugs I44 on the spools.

The printing cylinder plate I03 has secured thereto bushings I43 which carry the rotatable studs I41. The studs I41 are provided with reduced ends I43 and have secured thereto disks I43. The disks I43 are also provided with notches 311 for receiving lugs I formed on the adjacent flanges of the ribbon spools. The ends I43 of the studs I41 also enter the central openings of the ribbon spools to form supports for the same. The studs I41 are provided with toothed wheels I5I thereon adjacent the bushings I43.

Referring to Figs. 3, 4, and 6, the toothed wheel I5I drives one spool and the toothed wheel I5Ia drives another spool, one for each ribbon, depending upon the direction of feed and position of the feed pawls I53 and I53a, adapted to engage the wheels I5I and I5Ia respectively. The pawls I53 and I53a. are pivoted on studs I54 carried on the opposite ends of an arm I55 supported on the shaft I3. The arms I55 while similar in construction, are independent of each other and both operated by the reversing arm I30. The arm I55 is provided with the lugs I53 to limit the downward movement of the pawls I53 and I330.- under the tension of the springs I51a, connected with the pawls. A latch I51 is carried by a stud I58 on the arm, the latch being provided with a roller I53, which is yieldingly held in contact with the notched end of a reversing arm I30 by the spring I3I. The reversing arm I30 is carried by the shaft I3 and is provided with spaced notches I32 and I33 at each end thereof, which are adapted to receive the roller I53 on the latch I 51. The reversing arm I30 is formed with a central projecting portion I34, which has a notch I35 in which is disposed a roller I 33, carried by a stud I 31 on a cam yoke lever I33. The cam yoke I33 is pivoted on the cylinder plate I03 at I53 and is provided with rollers I10 and "I which engage a stationary cam I12 carried on the shaft I3. A stud I13 is secured to the supporting plate M and to the cam I12 to retain the cam in stationary position and to insure proper positioning of the latter on the shaft I3. It will be seen that as the rollers I10 and "I carried by the yoke I33, rotate around the cam I12, during rotation of the printing cylinder'plates I33, that the rollers will cause the yoke I33 to have a rocking movement which will in turn be transferredto the reversing arm I30. Inasmuch as the roller I53 is yieldingly retained by the spring I3I in one or the other of the notches I32 or I33 of the arm I30 the latter will be oscillated at each revolution of the printing unit to move the arm I55 which in turn will advance one set of the operating pawls to actuate the corresponding toothed wheel III or I5Ia for driving the ribbon holding spools.

The dogs I14, Fig. 27, pivoted on the plate I03, serve to prevent unwinding of the ratchet wheel I5I or I5Ia under the-tension of the ribbon when the pawl disengages the teeth of the ratchet wheel during feeding operation.

The ribbon reversing mechanism is automatically operated by the tension on the ribbon when it is entirely unwound from the supply spool, at which time the reversing arm I30 will continue to exert pressure on one of the pawls I53 or I53a to advance the ratchet wheels I5I or I5Ia. However, when the tension of the ribbon is sufficient to overcome the spring I3I connecting the reversing arm I30 and the latch I51 carrying the roller I53 the spring will yield and allow the roller to shift from. one of the notches of the arm I30 to another. This action of the reversing arm I30 will alter the position of the pawl carrying arm I55 sufliciently to allow the other pawl to engage the opposite ratchet wheel I5I or I5Ia, to efl'ect reversal of ribbon carrying spools whereby to wind the ribbon on the empty spool. As shown in Fig. 4, the inactive pawls normally rest on the lugs I53 of the arm I55 under tension of the springs I51a.

The pawl carrying arms I55 are provided with short studs I13 which extend inwardly throughopenings in the cylinder plate I03, Fig. 27. The

members I11, carried loosely on the rods I22, are each provided with cam portions I13 and I13 adapted to be engaged by extended portions I 30 of the dogs I14. The forked ends of the members I11 are adapted to receive the studs I13, carried by the arms I55. When the arms I55 are moved from one position to another by the action of the reversing arm I30, thestuds I13 engaging in the notches of the members I11 serve to alter the position of said members and the cam notches I13 and I13 thereon whereby to cause one dog I14 to become disengaged from its corresponding ratchet wheel and the other to move into engagement with its corresponding ratchet-wheel, thus casing I I.

gagement with the ratchet wheel with whichit is associated. Means is provided to prevent the main shaft and printing unit from rebounding when the.

mechanism is stopped suddenly a-t completion of each cycle of operation of the unit. This means comprises a stop 'dog I9I pivoted at I93 on a member I92 carried by the supporting plate 50, as best shown in Figs. 3 and 6. The member I92 is pivotally connected with the plate 50 by a stud I95 and carries a pin I94 which is mounted in a resilient cushioning member I98 carried by a tubular boss I 98a formed on the supporting plate 50. The stop dog I9I is provided with a ing I96 which normally engages the underside of the flange of the supporting member 50, under the tension of a spring I91. The stop dog I9I, when the machine is in normal position, is engaged by a. member I90 on the cylinder plate I05 to prevent reverse rotation of the cylinder. Upon rotation of the cylinder to normal inoperative position the member I90 thereon will pass under stop I9I which will then yield against the tension of the spring I91 until cleared by the member I90, whereupon the stop will then snap back to normal position with its extremity in the path of said member to prevent the cylinder and main shaft from rebounding or rotating in the reverse direction. By preventing the main shaft from rebounding or reversing, displacement of the clutch dogs and other parts on the cylinder is prevented. The resilient mounting I98 is eiTective as a means for cushioningthe rebound of the printing cylinder, and also tends to eliminate the undesirable noises which would otherwise result from the sudden stopping of the cylinder.

Referring to Figs. 3, 11, and 14, the latch I99 on therod 64 has a lug 200 formed on its end which normally engages the shoulder 20I of the cam follower arm 202 carrying a roller 203,

adapted to come in contact with a cam 204, se-

cured on the shaft I8. The cam follower 202 has an extension 205 which engages a slide 206, carried by studs 20'! and 208 on the side wall of the The latch I99 is held in contact with the cam follower arm 202 by a spring 209 and an extension 2! of the latch lies in the path of the roller stud 66b on the arm 66 of the yoke 65. When the arm 66 is released by the sheet operated lever 56, as previously described, the roller stud 66!), engages the extension 2 I of thelatch I99 to withdraw the latter from the shoulder 20I of the lever 202 whereby to free the lever which will then drop to the position shown in Fig. 14 and which will later be returned to the position shown in Fig. 11 by the contacting of the cam 204 with the roller 203 on the lever.

Referring to Figs. 3, 11 and 13, the slide 206, carried by the casing II, engages a stud 2 on a bellcrank lever 2I3 carried by a stud 2I4 on a bracket 2 I5 secured to the flange 2 I6 of the shelf 21 by studs 2". The ofiset end 2I8 of thelever 2I3 carries one end of a link 2I9, the other end of which is connected at 223 with an arm 222 secured on a reduced end of the hexagonal rod 220 free to rock upon the base I0 of the machine. Slidablv mounted on the rod 220 is a yoke 225 having a stop 224 thereon which is automatically positioned in the path of the sheets fed into the machine by the conveyor belt 22, as shown in Fig. 14. The arm 225 is provided with an extended operating part 221 which is readily accessible for manual operation for adjusting the 0 arm and stop thereon-longitudinally of the rodso as to locate the stop at any desirable position, whereby the printing plates may be made to operateupon difierent portions of the sheets. A

flat spring 228 is carried by the yoke 225 and engages the rod 220 to retain the arm in adjusted position. A spring 229 is connected to the link 2I9 and toy a bracket 230 and tends at all times to raise the'stop 224 into sheet arresting posi tion. However, the stop is normally maintained in lowered position by the cam follower arm 202, as shown in Fig. 11.

' When the stud'66b on the arm' 66 moves the.

latch I99 to release the cam follower lever 202 on rod 81, the portion 205 of the lever is raised, thus allowing the slide, 206 to be raised through operation of the bell crank lever 2 I 3 actuated by the link 2 I9 and spring 229 whereby to raise the stop 224 to the full line position shown in Fig. 13. The stop 224 remains in raised position until the latter part of the cycle of operation of the printing unit andis lowered when the cam 204 contacts with the roller 203 to operate the lever 202 to depress the arm 205 thereof whereby the slide 206 is moved downwardly to swing-the bellcrank lever 2I3 for the purpose of moving the stop to inoperative position. The stop 224 is thus withdrawn from the path of the check or other sheet just prior to the completion of the operation of the second printing plate. When the second printing plate has completed the printing operation, the check is released, and inasmuch as the stop has been withdrawn, the conveyor belt 26 will convey the check from the machine into a suitable receptacle, not shown, which may be carried by the rods 232, secured to the shelf 21.

Referring to Figs. 1, 3, 4, and 23, it is desirable at various intervals during each operation of the rotary printing unit to release the pressure roller 233 which is normally in yielding contact with the feed belt 26. The roller is provided to re-' proper feeding of the check. After the check has been positioned against the stop member 224 by the belt and the first printing plate on the cylinder has contacted with'the check, the roller 233 is raised. As previously described, when the printing plate engages the check to perform a printing operation thereon it operates to move the check in a direction opposite to that in which it was previously moved by the conveyor belt. It is therefore desirable to raise the pressure roller 233 from contact with the check at the proper time so that the check may be freed for movement by the printing device, thus eliminating anypossibility of buckling or improper displacement of the sheet through contact with said device during-the printing operation. Referring to Fig. 23, the roller 233, as shown in the dotted line position, has been raised by the action of the cam 234, on the shaft I8. The cam 234 is provided with portions 235 and 236 which operate respectively to raise the roller slightly in advance of the operations of the background and signature plates. The roller is raised through operation of the lever 23'! carried on rod 64 and the member 238 which supports the roller. The lever 23! carries a roller 239 which engages the cam 234 and also has a lug 240 adapted to engage theinner end of an operating arm 24I for the roller carrying member 238. The member 238 is mounted on a stud 243 carried by a U shaped bracket 244,

secured by a screw 241 to the ca'sing II. A sup- 

